Cost of Living in Delhi: An Expense Guide for 2023

Delhi, the capital of India, is a city of endless prosperity and opportunities. It has an unbeatable infrastructure, from healthcare to investment and employment opportunities. However, the cost of living in Delhi highly depends on the locality you want to reside.

South Delhi is known to be the most expensive area to reside in Delhi than the suburbs, so you need to consider everything before you decide to move here.

What are the Factors Affecting the Cost of Living in Delhi?

Whether you are a bachelor, married, or living in Delhi with your family, several factors make up your cost of living in Delhi. Moreover, your living habits also play a major role in determining how these factors can affect you. The main factors that affect your cost of living in Delhi include:

1. Accommodation

   The rental of your accommodation varies based on the location you choose:

   1. 1 BHK

      Ideally, renting a 1 BHK in Delhi monthly starts around ₹9,000 and can reach till ₹20,000 or sometimes even more if the area is expensive.

   2. 2 BHK

      On average, it starts at around ₹12,000 and can go to ₹35,000, sometimes more than that, depending on your chosen location.

   3. 3 BHK

      Expect it to cost you between ₹20,000 to ₹80,000 or even ₹1,00,000 per month depending on the location.

   A PG (paying guest) facility in Delhi can be a great alternative for bachelors who want to save some money on rent. Depending on the location, you can expect single occupancy to start around ₹10,000 or more. You can save some more with sharing occupancy as it can cost you ₹7,000 to ₹15,000 per month based on the locality.

   Apartment Type	Price Range Per Month (INR)
   1 BHK Apartment	₹9,000 to ₹20,000
   2 BHK Apartment	₹12,000 to ₹35,000
   3 BHK Apartment	₹20,000 to ₹80,000
   PG (Paying Guest)	₹8,000 to ₹20,000

2. Food and Groceries

   Apart from accommodation, food and groceries also affect the cost of living in Delhi. On average, if you order food regularly, it can cost you around ₹6,000 to ₹10,000. If you cook, the groceries will be around ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 per person, similar to other metro cities in India. On average, hiring a maid for cooking will cost you between ₹4,000 to ₹20,000, based on the locality you’re searching for.

3. Transportation

   You have buses, electric trains, and metros as local transportation options for daily commutes. Local transportation can cost you between ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 every month and per person.

4. Utilities

   The cost of living in Delhi is also impacted by your utility costs depending on the number of family members and your lifestyle habits. The average cost you can expect to pay monthly for the internet, based on your OTT subscriptions and the speed, can be around ₹500 to ₹1,500.

   Other Utilities:Garbage, water, electricity, gas, and other utilities can range from ₹3,000 to ₹10,000.

5. Childcare and Schooling

   Childcare and schooling expenses are yet another factors that can affect your cost of living in Delhi if you have a family with you.

   1. Preschool

      The average yearly fees for preschool are between ₹25,000 to ₹2,50,000.

   2. Primary and Secondary

      Fees can be between ₹50,000 to ₹5,00,000 per annum.

   3. International School

      The fees are higher, approximately between ₹3,00,000 to 20,00,000 yearly.

   4. Undergraduate Course

      It can cost anywhere around ₹20,000 to ₹2,00,000 yearly, depending on the course and the college.

   5. Postgraduate Course

      The fees can be between ₹50,000 to ₹20,00,000 per annum; again, this will depend on the course and college chosen.

   Besides taking care of the educational expenses, childcare facilities can also affect your cost of living in Delhi. These may include nanny services and day care facilities. Hiring a nanny for eight to ten hours a day can cost anywhere between ₹7,000 to ₹15,00 per month, while a day care facility can start from ₹12,000 to ₹25,000 depending on the locality.

6. Shopping

   The cost of shopping in Delhi can differ depending on some factors, such as the type of products you’re interested in, the quality, brand, and location of the store. You can expect to spend around ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 depending on the quantity and brand you spend.

   Local street shopping is famous for buying clothes and other things at a cheaper rate. These areas include Sarojini Nagar, Janpath Marg, Chandni Chowk, and more.

7. Entertainment

   Depending on the activity and your budget, the cost of entertainment differs in Delhi. But here’s some average price you can expect for leisure and activities:

   1. Movie

      Depending on the theatre, movie, time, and seat type, the price of a movie ticket changes, ranging from ₹100 to ₹1,500.

   2. Live Music Performances

      Attending a live music performance in Delhi can cost around ₹500 to ₹5,000, based on the artist’s popularity and the venue.

   3. Stand-up Comedy Show

      A ticket for a stand-up comedy show can range from ₹500 to ₹3,000, depending on the artist, venue, and seat type.

   4. Amusement Parks

      A ticket to an amusement park can range from ₹500 to ₹2,000 depending on your age, the day of the week, and the park.

   5. Museums and Art Galleries

      Some museums and art galleries have free entry, while some may charge fees ranging from ₹20 to ₹500.

   6. Sports

      A ticket to a sports event range between ₹500 to ₹5,000 depending on the venue and the sport’s popularity.

FAQs

1. Is Delhi expensive to live in?

   Delhi might be an expensive city to live in, depending on your lifestyle and the other cost of living factors, like whether you’re a couple, family, student, or bachelor. However, compared to other metro cities like Bangalore and Mumbai, the rent in Delhi is cheaper.

2. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Delhi?

   Depending on your expenses, area, spending habits, and lifestyle, you can live a comfortable life with a salary between ₹30,000 to ₹50,000.

3. How much does it cost to eat out in Delhi?

   Based on the restaurant and cuisine, a basic meal at a local restaurant may cost between ₹150 to ₹250, while a mid-range restaurant may charge between ₹500 to ₹800.

4. What is the cost of groceries in Delhi?

   Your cost of living in Delhi is also impacted by groceries daily or weekly. On average, a week’s worth of groceries for one person can cost between ₹1,500 to ₹2,500.

5. What is the cost of living in Bangalore vs Delhi?

   Living in Bangalore is a little expensive compared to Delhi, and if you earn around ₹1,30,000 in Bangalore, you can suffice on ₹1,20,000 in Delhi.

6. What is the cost of living in Kolkata vs Delhi?

   In terms of accommodation, food, clothes, and other cost of living factors, Delhi is more expensive than Kolkata. You would need to earn around ₹1,20,000 in Delhi to maintain the same standard of living that you have in Kolkata at ₹1,03,000.

7. What is the cost of living in Chennai vs Delhi?

   Chennai is cheaper to live in when compared to Delhi. You would need to earn ₹1,10,000 yearly in Chennai to maintain the same quality of life as you do with ₹1,20,000 in Delhi.

8. What is the cost of living in Hyderabad vs Delhi?

   Compared to other metro cities, Hyderabad is less costly to live in. Your earnings need to be around ₹1,10,000 yearly to maintain the same standard of living you have with ₹1,20,000 in Delhi.